Our Team

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

Caitlin is a NYC High School Student who has always loved to read and write. She began writing her first novel during the pandemic and hopes to soon be a published author. However, she loves to write in all genres, from art analysis to poetry to screenwriting, and has received numerous awards for her writing. After countless hours of tutoring and volunteering, she decided to start Pens Up. She dreams to create a large network of schools, libraries, publishing houses, and neighborhoods to bring books and writing classes to children. Her favorite book is Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.

VICE PRESIDENT

Caro is a NYC High School Student who loves to help people in any way she can, whether it be her friends or her community. She is kind, passionate, and dedicated. Caro attends every Pens Up Club meeting, stays through every event, and helps manage the Pens Up Club at Grace High School. She is also the Vice President of Glamour Gals GCS, a club that visits senior homes to spend time with the residents. Her favorite book is Normal People by Sally Rooney.

SECRETARY

India is an NYC High School Student who is passionate about giving back to her community. She is incredibly organized and forward-minded, making her the ideal secretary. She is the President of Glamor Gals GCS and has received the intergenerational service award for volunteering. She also volunteers at soup kitchens in the East Village with her family. India loves that she is able to support young learners with Pens Up, and her favorite books are Everything I know About Love by Dolly Alderton and If He’d Been With Me by Laura Nowlin.

PUBLIC SECRETARY

Julianna is a NYC High School Student who loves service work of any kind and is fantastic at engaging the community and recruiting new members. She loves reading, trying new food, baking, and music (especially Lana Del Rey). She has extensive volunteering experience at soup kitchens, as kitchen staff, and as Pub Sec of the GCS Psychology Club. Her favorite book is The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan.

TREASURER

Ava is a NYC High School Student with a massive range of interests and passions. She loves studying social sciences, listening music, playing basketball and soccer, and trying new food. She is a member of multiple clubs besides Pens Up, including ASPCA, Glamour Gals, and MOSAIC Westchester, which is a nonprofit focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion into the Jewish Community. Her favorite book is Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers.

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

Abby is a NYC High School Student who is a passionate and decorated photographer. She has multiple Scholastic Keys for photography and two of her photographs have been displayed in the Met. Besides photography, she is passionate about soccer, gender rights, and SZA. Her favorite book is Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth.

VOLUNTEER

Lev is a NYC High School Student with a love for helping his community. From volunteering at school events to assistant coaching his school’s JV Basketball Team (as a sophomore), Lev is always eager to participate and help others. He is an excellent problem solver, a hard worker, and his favorite book is The Measure by Nikki Erlick.

VOLUNTEER

Jade is a NYC High School Student who is always interested in trying new things. They enjoy reading and theater, but are constantly looking for new hobbies. Jade is an extremely valuable asset to Pens Up events with their confidence and talent at finding common interests with strangers. They can get anyone to stop by our Book and Bake Sale and buy themselves a treat!! Jade’s favorite book is the entire Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan.

VOLUNTEER

Lya is a NYC High School Student with an endless supply of ideas. During her first Pens Up Book and Bake Sale, she was already making lists of things we could incorporate into our next event. She loves reading, writing, and her friends and family. She has done mission work in Colorado and volunteered at the Acadia National Park. Her favorite book is The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Euginides.

VOLUNTEER

Charlotte is a NYC High School Student with confidence, enthusiasm, and compassion, exemplified by her passion for politics, education, and performing arts. She has done other volunteer work at the Encore Community Center where she works with older adults to help them lead independent and dignified lives. Her favorite book is Carrie by Stephen King.

VOLUNTEER

Zainab is a NYC High School Student who loves to get involved with the community and spend time with her family and friends. Besides Pens Up, she also volunteers with the NYC Pantry to help distribute food to those who need it. She is an avid movie fanatic, but her favorite book is Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.

VOLUNTEER

Taara is a NYC High School Student who is always eager to help out. She loves to bake and share her creations with her friends and family. She also volunteers for Gods Love We Deliver and Rise Against Hunger to help food get to the chronically ill and those who can’t afford it. Her favorite book is Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick.